toggle not there to switch to outlook classic

Question

Unable to switch to outlook classic; no toggle exists on my desktop

Answer 1

Hello !

On new installations of Office apps, the classic version of Outlook is not installed by default.

You need to download it separately here : https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/install-or-reinstall-classic-outlook-on-a-windows-pc-5c94902b-31a5-4274-abb0-b07f4661edf5

Select your language, download the installer, and launch it to proceed with the install. Once done, you'll be able to launch it directly from your Start menu.

Please let me know if you have any other question !

Answer 2

Several things can prevent the classic/new Outlook toggle from appearing or working.

1. Confirm Windows and Outlook are supported

• Windows must be Windows 10 build 1809 (17763) or higher.
• Outlook must be a Microsoft 365 subscription on a supported update channel (Current, Monthly Enterprise, or Semi-Annual Enterprise (preview)).
• Nonsubscription versions (Outlook 2019/2021, etc.) do not support the toggle.

2. Check account type

• POP and on-premises Exchange accounts in the classic profile are not supported for the new Outlook toggle.
• If possible, test by signing into the same PC with another user where the new Outlook works, then sign in with this account to see if the toggle appears.

3. Verify the toggle is not hidden by policy or registry

• Registry (per user):
  • Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Options\General
  • Value: HideNewOutlookToggle (DWORD)
  • If set to 1, the toggle is hidden. Set it to 0 and restart Outlook.
• Cloud policy:
  • In the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center, check the Hide the "Try the new Outlook" toggle in Outlook policy. If enabled, disable it so the toggle appears.

4. Sovereign network limitation

• On devices that are or were part of a sovereign network, switching to the new Outlook is not available at all, so no toggle will appear.

5. If the toggle is visible but does nothing

• This usually indicates a security-related installation issue. See the guidance under “Resolve installation issues in the new Outlook” from the deployment article.

6. If trying to go back to classic Outlook from new Outlook

• In new Outlook, use the toggle at the top-right:
  • Switch back to classic Outlook: permanently returns to classic Outlook.
  • Use classic Outlook this time: opens classic Outlook once, but keeps new Outlook as default.
• If the toggle in new Outlook is missing:
  1. Open Registry Editor.
  2. Go to Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\Preferences.
  3. Edit UseNewOutlook and set its value to 0.
  4. From the Start menu, launch Outlook (classic) (the icon without the New tag).

7. Ensure classic Outlook is actually installed

• If classic Outlook is not installed on the device, the toggle in new Outlook will not appear. Install classic Outlook using the steps in “You can't open classic Outlook on a new Windows PC”.

If none of the above applies and the toggle still never appears, collect the .etl logs from %Temp%\Outlook Logging and contact Microsoft Support for further analysis.

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References:

• Resolve deployment issues in the new Outlook for Windows
• Toggle doesn't display in classic Outlook
• Toggle out of the new Outlook for Windows
• Go back to classic Outlook button not working correctly in new Outlook